Dear Readers,
It is Friday the 5th of May, and we are back again!
I must admit that switching from weekly publishing to publishing every fortnight is helpful to me as it does allow me more time to find interviewees and solicit more material. Generally, I don’t have problems finding interesting companies and/or people to interview. However, it is also clear that the people who do work appear to be busier than ever before. It seems that the world has a problem not only in the distribution of wealth but also in the distribution of workload.
Looking at it from a Scandinavian point of view, we are somehow drowning in welfare in the sense that finding anyone who is “hungry for work” is almost impossible whilst at the same time, people who want to work are bogged down by rules/regulations—not least from the unions who are out there carrying the red flags. May 1st has come and gone.
Here in Sweden, the Social Democrats in particular were out with their red flags promising the moon. However, the fact is that they now have lost so many voters to their opposite SD because they haven’t followed the times and the development and are still clinging to the past when they commanded some 40-50% of the electorate. Nepotism runs deep in the Social Democratic party organisations here in Scandinavia. You hardly see anyone being fired for mismanagement of public funds or other scandals. Rather, you are reassigned as an ambassador or a local government bigwig.
Still, the power of networking is everywhere, and who am I to say that I don’t use my network to get special treatment or get first in line. We all use our networks on a daily basis, but there is a difference in claiming to be holy and “taking care of the workers” as opposed to feathering your own nest by using the contributions of those whose interests you claim to protect.
I am writing this editorial whilst taking a sustainable trip on the train to Gavle, which is some 200km north of Stockholm. Although it doesn’t make me feel greener than any car driving compatriot, it is handy since I can work on the train and generally internet connections here in Sweden are fast, reliable and inexpensive.
So the time of the digital nomad is here. For those who are able to enjoy the benefits of such a lifestyle, this is really a golden period for them. Not a day goes by when another country is not lining up to “cater to the digital nomads” by offering them a great environment in which to settle down but work globally… and who wouldn’t want to work from Mauritius during winter in Sweden – for example.
I had the pleasure of speaking to the representative of the Ports of Stockholm in the week past, and since I do live here and need to feather my own nest, I had best give them a bit of priority space here in the editorial. Yet, in all fairness, Stockholm Ports does have a nice story to tell and imagining that 16 million passengers in a normal year pass through it does make for a compelling story. See the interview here:
I actually brought my 3 kids on a cruise to the Åland islands this weekend on mv Cinderella: a huge, deluxe, passenger ferry catering to those who wish to get a bit of duty-free shopping, enjoy excellent food and entertainment, and look at the incredible archipelago of Stockholm. You may enjoy this short footage that I took during the trip whilst stocking up on cigarettes, and booze of course.
Some of the houses and cottages you see during this trip are indeed a marvel to behold but hardly within reach of shall we say “normal income people”.
I am off to Denmark for a couple of weeks today as we publish and treasure the fact that my parents are still around, incredibly so in my father’s case. There is no way I will waste any time when I can spend time with them during this ‘autumn’ of their life. I have too many reminders about the vulnerability of life, so I frequently tell myself to DO when I can and that it is better to regret something I did than something I didn’t do. This holds true in many of life’s situations. Or as the Nike ad says: JUST DO IT ~!
Turning to the shipping world, we have today some quite interesting interviews in store for you:
1. We visit the landlocked country of Austria and meet with a mid-sized project freight forwarder called PROJECT LOGISTICS based there.
2. One of the most beautiful countries in the world is New Zealand. We go there and speak to FLIWAY who tell an interesting story from far away.
3. We check out the island of Sri Lanka, another beautiful place strategically located in the Indian Ocean, and talk to LANKA SHIPPING & LOGISTICS.
Everyone has a great story to tell, and if you ask me why I am in shipping, well, the answer is simple. It ain’t boring, and I love the people in it, especially those who are freight forwarder friendly, so there are a couple of shipowners out there that are not on the Xmas gift list… but competition is healthy for all and keeps us on our toes, right?
We, of course, provide you with shipping news, trade intel, featured video and picture of the week and last but not least, wise words.
Looking forward to seeing you (if you have time to drop by) at the Hoegh Lines booth (Hall 2.2 Booth 2B24-C25) at Breakbulk Expo Rotterdam on both the 7th & 8th of June where I shall be between 1300-1400 hrs (1-2 pm).
Until the 18th of May, I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Bo H. Drewsen
bo.drewsen@projectcargo-weekly.com
Project Logistics GmbH – Wals-Siezenheim, Austria
Interview with
Mr. Peter Müller & Mr. Laber Fetahaj
Managing Partners
For starters Peter, would you kindly explain to our readers about the history of Project Logistics in Austria and who the owners are?
PETER MÜLLER:
Project Logistics GmbH is a privately owned, sea freight forwarder, which was founded in 2018 by my colleague Laber and me in Salzburg. As we were a well-coordinated team for many years, we took the leap into self-employment.
During the pandemic, many customers realized that they receive a more reliable service from small-sized service providers like us. This allowed us to establish our company and solidify our customer base.
Podcast Episode
Fliway – New Zealand
Jon Gundy, General Manager Air & Ocean at Fliway Air & Ocean was interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at PCW.
Video Interview
Lanka Shipping & Logistics – Sri Lanka
Mr. Ana Senanayake, Managing Director, Mr. Trilan Perera, Director Agency and Mr. Darshana, GM of Business Development at Lanka Shipping & Logistics Sri Lanka were interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at PCW.
Container Market Close to Bottom on Most Trades – Zencargo
Editor’s Note:
Plummeting shipping rates and an excessive amount of new tonnage entering the market will surely put at least a dent in the carriers well filled coffers.
Speaking at a webinar, Zencargo VP Ocean Anne-Sophie Fribourg retold the familiar story of falling container spot rates through the second half of 2022 as supply chain congestion eased and demand for ocean shipping fell due to lower consumer confidence and high retailer inventories.
Official inauguration of Stockholm Norvik Port by HM The King and HRH The Crown Princess
Editor’s Note:
Due to corona the official opening ceremony of the Hutchison Port of Norvik/Stockholm was delayed but finally –with Royal Salute– it was opened.
Sweden’s newest freight port opened for business already in 2020, exactly on time and on budget. The opening, however, was just when the pandemic was at its height, which meant that the official opening ceremony had to be postponed. On 26 April 2023 it was finally time for His Majesty The King and Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess to visit Stockholm Norvik Port and ceremonially cut the ribbon.
New Box Ships will Boost Russian Trade Links with China
Editor’s Note:
One thing we can always rely on is that countries such as China, France and Turkey will always wear their jacket on both shoulders –an old Danish saying that means trying to please everyone without taking a stance. Thus Russian trade will hardly be hampered as the lure of money is powerful.
The Russian vessel operator took delivery of the maxi-Bangkokmax Moskva this week, reports Alphaliner, which will join sister ship, the 2,471 teu Kapitan Shchetinina, on a service linking St Petersburg to the Chinese ports of Rizhao, Lianyungang, Ningbo, Shanghai and Yantian.
U.S. Debt: Visualizing the $31.4 Trillion Owed in 2023
Editor’s Note:
The US is mired in debt – their advantage is that they print their own… but take a look at this infographic about how big the debt is when illustrated. Pretty scary isn’t it? Surely it will affect shipping one way or the other as it affects trade, or at least it should.
The enormity of U.S. government debt is hard for the average person to wrap their head around. For instance, compared to the median U.S. mortgage, the current level of federal debt is 230 million times larger.
In this graphic, Julie Peasley shows how many one-dollar bills it would take to stack up to the total U.S. debt of $31.4 trillion.
Vinfast Secures Fresh Capital and Launches Deliveries of The VF 5
“The decision was reached due to VinFasts remarkable progress in the global market, as it continues to achieve its production and business development targets,” the company wrote in a press release. “With further financial support, VinFast will have access to more resources to boost its development and accelerate its growth objectives in the global market.”
Turkey-Based Kordsa Expands Chattanooga, Tennessee, Manufacturing Plant
Kordsa, Inc., a Turkey-based manufacturer of industrial nylon and polyester yarn, tire cord fabric and single end cord, will expand its manufacturing operations in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The $50 million project is expected to create 200 jobs.
EdgeConneX to Build 7.5MW Data Center in Israel
The new data center will be located in Rishon and will complement the company’s existing presence near Tel Aviv, including the two sites in Herzliya in the north of the city and Petah Tikva to the east, bringing the total capacity to 14.5MW.
New Wind Turbine Plant Hopes to Revitalize Sparrows Point
A new plant that will build wind turbine foundations and other components will open in Sparrows Point as part of Orsted’s shore-to-shore supply chain operation in Maryland.
The facility will employ 125 union construction workers and offer 20 professional staff jobs. Gov. Wes Moore characterized the site as hallowed ground, the foundation where Maryland becomes the offshore wind capital of America.
A Windy Day Onboard With 8-9m Swells in the Indian Ocean Onboard MV CMA CGM Georgia Enroute To Sydney
Editor’s Note:
Aft in the INDIAN OCEAN onboard mv CMA CGM Georgia enroute from Singapore to Fremantle. Impressive with some large swells. Sailing south of Australia there is nothing out there except Antarctica if you continue on south… thus winds can be quite heavy.
Editor’s Note:
Having just been drifting for a day outside Durban, South Africa late March it was all the more impressive to see the “anchorage area” from ashore and the 29th floor of the Pearl’s Hotel, Durban. And what a sunrise – not to mention the wines of course!
